Wraith(44)

Chapter Eleven


The smoked-glass doors had barely closed behind us when Marrock appeared. Even with the behaviour of his goons outside, I was still shocked. Marrock enjoyed possessing the perception of power even more than possessing power itself. I thought he would enjoy watching a Dark Elf walk down one of his bowling lanes to be granted an audience, especially when that Dark Elf was Gabriel de Florinville. Instead, Marrock was just as star struck as everyone else. His face was wreathed in smiles and he held his arms out expansively, grabbing hold of me as we drew close.

‘Saiya!’ He yanked me towards him, planting a wet kiss on my cheek and squeezing me tight. ‘How wonderful of you to come and see us!’ He angled himself away from de Florinville and muttered into my ear, ‘That better not be Ange Horrocks he's holding.’ Then he stepped back and smiled benevolently at the Dark Elf.

What he received in return was an icy glower. De Florinville’s spine was stiff, as if he were filled with both rage and tension. Given his mild manner outside, I was surprised but I could only assume that it was part of his plan. It certainly wasn't part of mine, though.

‘Marrock,’ I said, speaking loudly and formally. ‘I would like to present to you Gabriel de Florinville and Angela Horrocks.’

Marrock’s answering smile stiffened. ‘Lord de Florinville. I am delighted to make your acquaintance.’ That part was genuine at least. He glanced down at Ange. ‘Your companion looks unwell. Why don’t I have her taken to the nearest doctor? I can arrange for transport. She looks like she needs medical attention.’

I almost snorted. There were no doctors left in Stirling, none who were alive or prepared to work on humans like us.

De Florinville didn’t take his eyes off Marrock. ‘I am not a Lord and I am perfectly capable of seeing to Ms Horrocks’ needs myself. I just require somewhere to lay her down safely and comfortably so I can work on her.’ He maintained his smile but there was something threatening about it. That was a neat trick; no wonder Prime Minister James had named the Dark Elf as Envoy. What I didn’t yet understand was why he had such an underlying air of menace. He didn’t know Marrock – and the wee man had let us inside, offering us help and sanctuary at great danger to himself. I scratched my head. Puzzling.

‘We have several booths which should suit your purpose.’ Marrock also continued to smile. He clicked his fingers and two nameless minions appeared. ‘Help Mr de Florinville with the woman.’

‘Gabriel is fine. And I can manage on my own.’

Marrock bowed. ‘As you wish. The booths are just over to your right, past the Penny Falls arcade.’

De Florinville didn’t move. He looked at me, his dark eyes unblinking. ‘Come, Saiya.’

I cleared my throat, aware that colour was rising in my cheeks. ‘Give me a couple of minutes. I want to talk to Marrock first.’

De Florinville’s eyes narrowed, sparking with an anger that loomed over us all. What exactly was his problem? I folded my arms and met his gaze. It was less than five minutes since he’d assured me that he’d follow my lead but he seemed to have forgotten that already. I tried to stare him down, willing him to stop being an arse, but I’d never been in a staring competition with a Dark Elf before. It felt as if I were being swallowed up by the glitter of his gaze.

If Ange hadn’t shifted slightly and moaned, I’m not sure what would have happened. Her intervention did the trick and broke the crackling tension. Gabriel de Florinville didn’t pull his eyes from mine but he did relax slightly and nod his head. A moment later, he turned and left for the booths, the two minions trailing in his wake.

I let out the breath I hadn’t realised I was holding. Marrock waited until he was sure de Florinville had gone before turning to me. ‘What the fuck are you playing at, Saiya?’ he growled at me. ‘I told you to stay away.’

I did my best impression of a nonchalant shrug. ‘You also told me to find out more about the Dark Elf. What better way to do that than to bring him here in person?’

Marrock’s expression didn’t change. ‘I don’t like playing games.’

‘I’m not playing.’

Something about my tone persuaded Marrock of my sincerity because he relaxed slightly and the twitching muscle in his eyebrow subsided. ‘You’ve told him about me.’

‘I’ve not told him anything,’ I said.

Marrock regarded me implacably. ‘Well, he knows something. That’s unvarnished hatred that he’s feeling and he’s feeling it for me – for no apparent reason that I can think of.’

I shifted uncomfortably. I could hardly pretend I’d not noticed de Florinville’s strange antagonism. ‘I don’t know what that’s about,’ I muttered.

Marrock watched me for a moment longer. ‘You shouldn’t have brought that woman here,’ he said, abandoning Gabriel de Florinville for the time being.

My gaze dropped. The box with his henchman’s head in it was still seared in my mind. We both knew the risk I was placing on Marrock’s slight shoulders by coming here. ‘We won’t stay for long. If there had been a choice I wouldn’t have come. But she’s important, Marrock. I don’t know how or why, but there are secrets locked inside her skull that the Filits are desperate to know. And I think she’s the reason why the Gneiss are here.’